Gen Z is not drowned in the debt of purchase-paga-lama-lama, however. But experts warn that it is a luxury life trap

• About 30 million Zers are cutting -ne credit cards And choosing to buy now, pay the subsequent services to pay for their spending habits. And, although it can contribute flexibility, experts warn that some buyers could “catch” in a cycle of expense expenses and impulsive impulses.

The love of young people for procrastination finally reaches a new phase: their finances.

Almost two out of every five gene zers refuse to pay their next Luxury bag or the McDonald delivery order in its entirety in the box and instead chooses to use Buy now, pay the services after (BNPL) pay in weekly or monthly dues. And for the first time these services even exceed the Popularity of long -term credit cards.

BNPLs are found more flexible and easy to stretch purchases to various payments, without accumulating high debts of interest.

Still, for a generation that Fighting with financial literacy—Inclose a love for “Expense of spending“His way through inflation stressors: Experts warn that putting in a custom of using payment plans can be a mask for a dangerous spending game.

How to buy now, pay later, and why the Z gene loves

Forty-four percent of the zers said they used purchases now, paid later services last year. This is the equivalent of about 30 million young people in the United States, and Sabrina Rozza is one of them.

25 -year -old explains Fortune He used afterpay to finance a $ 4,000 holiday in the Dominican Republic. She says it was a “great alternative” to a credit card, as she could make an initial payment and then make payments gradually for six months.

“He certainly helped with the budgets. And in full transparency, at that time, he did not make enough money to pay with a credit card,” he says. “So only gave me more, such as more mercy to allow a holiday I really wanted to follow.”

Rozz says that most of his friends also use BNPL services, but especially to buy clothes. And they are not alone: ​​in the current economy, Half of the gene z feel Like BNPL helps them better manage their finances in front of other payment options. They say that their predictable financial flexibility and the simplest loans are fascinating.

Gen Z: Read fine print

Popular services, as BrightStir, and afterpay, to largely announce consumers the possibility of cutting their purchase through a loan that can be re -paid in interest without interest payments.

However, fine impression reveals that it is not necessarily always so simple.

His “Pay in 4” program divides purchases into four interestless payments paid every two weeks for about two months through a loan that is out of credit reports (but, That might change)). Depending on the price and the merchant, an initial payment may be required and the longer payment plans have an interest of up to 36% APR.

In addition, lack of payments can lead to heavy fees.

That said, in general, customers usually pay the money in time to prevent any penalty. According to afterpay, 98% of purchases do not incur late expenses and 95% of the dues were paid on time. So probably no gene z is “drowning —s in debt“As the reports have suggested, although, if they are not attentive, they could have a habit of biting more than they can chew.

But financial experts are not sold in the benefits of BnPL

With the inflation and uncertainty of the market that swing the economy, it is no shock that gene Z explores new ways of shopping. In fact, this year, 60% of coachella ticket buyers opted for the music festival payment system, rather than to pay completely in advance, according to Billboard. And, although it is unclear how many purchases they would have jumped if they had to pay completely ahead, it indicates how popular payment plan systems have become.

“Buy now, Pay then encourages people to buy by impulse,” says Noah Kerner, CEO of the Financial Services Firm Acorns. Fortune. “Encourage people to overcome.”

For consumers of the fence on a purchase, be able to postpone the price label at a later date is attractive; In fact, A study was found that buyers usually spend 20% more when bnpl is offered. Buyers who register in addition to a concurrent BNPL loan may have complicated financial problems, especially considering that there are now half a dozen BNPL popular companies.

While credit cards have been options for decades and have their own disadvantages, they offer integrated guards: they report to credit offices and often reward users with cash points or money. But,, According to afterpay51% Z Z say that credit cards give them the “ICL” and the same number of young people who could help them better manage their finances compared to traditional credit.

Essentially adds Kerner, people should save -for things they want to buy because BNPL users can Accumulate debt without affecting your credit score—To easier to ignore expenses.

“You should never spend more than you do,” adds Allyson Kiel, a private Synovus Bank private wealth. “Credit card debt is a terrible place to be. Interest rates are incredible and, if you are in this trap, it can be so difficult to leave.

“If it is a wish and not a need, you should wait,” says Kiel.

This story originally presented to Fortune.com

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